Apricot harvest in Turtuk
Apricots are central to life in Turtuk and the lower Shyok valley. Families grow many varieties, some sweet and some bitter, and use every part: fresh fruit in summer, dried fruit for winter, kernels for oil and the shells for fuel. In July and August, the village is busy with picking and drying. Nothing is wasted. Families work together through the season, from grandparents to young children, and visitors are welcomed into the orchards.
We arrange for you to join a family in their orchard for a morning. You help pick fruit, split it and lay it on rooftops or mats to dry in the sun. The family may show you how kernels are cracked and pressed into apricot oil, which is used in cooking and for skin and hair. Children love helping. The oil is used in cooking and for skin and hair care.
Afterwards, we share tea and fresh apricots, and perhaps apricot-kernel soup or buckwheat bread. The family is paid for their time. Dates depend on the ripening, which varies by year and by altitude, so we confirm close to your visit. Wear clothes you do not mind staining, and bring a hat, as the orchards can be hot at midday. Allow about two hours for the morning. Bring a bag for fruit.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
When is apricot season in Turtuk?
Apricots usually ripen in Turtuk from mid-July to mid-August, earlier than in higher parts of Ladakh. Blossom is in late April and May. Timings vary by year, so we confirm close to your visit. July and early August are usually the safest window to see the harvest.
Can we buy apricot products in Turtuk?
Yes, families and small shops sell dried apricots, apricot oil and apricot-kernel products. They make good gifts. Prices are modest, and buying directly supports the village. Dried apricots keep well and travel easily. Apricot oil is sold in small bottles; pack it carefully for flights.
Are Turtuk apricots different from other Ladakhi apricots?
Turtuk's lower altitude and warmer summers produce early and abundant fruit, with several local varieties. Many visitors find them among the sweetest in Ladakh. The village is also known for its apricot oil. Try several varieties side by side, and ask which are sweet and which are bitter.
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